Leads sought in mysterious death

Jason Marsh (center), cousin of Dane Williams, leads a group through the Gaslamp Quarter on Saturday to pass out fliers about Williams, who died in San Diego last year. (Peggy Peattie/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Jason Marsh (center), cousin of Dane Williams, leads a group through the Gaslamp Quarter on Saturday to pass out fliers about Williams, who died in San Diego last year. (Peggy Peattie/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Brent Davis, center left, and Hayley Williams talked with people downtown in the Gaslamp about the search for information regarding the death of Dane Williams (Hayley's brother) a year ago this weekend. (Peggy Peattie/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Brent Davis, center left, and Hayley Williams talked with people downtown in the Gaslamp about the search for information regarding the death of Dane Williams (Hayley's brother) a year ago this weekend. (Peggy Peattie/San Diego Union-Tribune)

San Diego 
Dozens of family and friends of an Orange County man who mysteriously died in San Diego last year took to the streets Saturday to try to generate new leads in the case.

“It was an unsolved murder,” Valen Williams said about her son's death. “We're just praying to get somebody who remembers and comes forward.”

Dane Chandler Williams, 23, had been attending a sports retailer trade show at the San Diego Convention Center when his body was found in a City Heights alley Jan. 29, 2008.

He was last seen about 1:30 a.m. Jan. 26 leaving a nightclub in the Gaslamp Quarter. His body was found three days later near 52nd Street and Towle Court, about eight miles from his hotel.

Yesterday his parents, relatives and friends canvassed downtown San Diego for several hours. They passed out fliers and cards with his picture and information about a $20,000 reward for leads that result in felony charges in the case.

“We're just trying to get the word out about Dane. It's been a year,” Jim Williams said about his son.

The group also showed photos of the blue and cream-colored blanket that was wrapped around Williams' body and a maroon beanie he was wearing. Neither belonged to him.

Authorities have been unable to determine the cause of his death and have classified it as suspicious. Though he had minor cuts, his body showed no signs of foul play, according to the Medical Examiner's Office.

Reports showed he had been drinking alcohol and taken a drug used in depressants. A relative said he had a prescription for the drug.

Jim Williams believes his son got into a scuffle with someone while walking back to his hotel. “And then something went wrong,” he said.

Valen Williams said, “We need to get that one witness who knows something.”